Changing Trends in Surgical Management of Nephrolithiasis among Young Adults: A 15-Year Population-Based Study

Background: Increases in obesity and diabetes rates among all ages have led to a greater prevalence of nephrolithiasis worldwide. We aimed to explore the changing trends in surgical management of nephrolithiasis in young adults over a 15 year period. Methods: We reviewed medical records of military personnel for information on the diagnosis and care of nephrolithiasis before and during active service between 2007–2021, divided into three 5 year periods: 2007–2011, 2012–2016, and 2017–2021. Demographic, clinical, radiological, and surgical data were retrieved for the analysis of changing trends. Results: The records of 1,117,692 recruits yielded 7383 (0.66%) with stone-related surgeries, of whom 1885 were operated during military service. Their median age was 19.6 years (interquartile range [IQR] 16.8–21.2), 829 (70%) were males, and the cohort’s median body mass index was 23.6 (IQR 17.3–26.1). There was a dramatic decline in shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) prevalence (35.1%, 10.4%, and 4.4%, respectively) with a continually increasing prevalence of ureteroscopy (URS)/retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) (62.7%, 88.5%, and 94.6%, p = 0.01). Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedures have become nearly extinct over time (0.8% in 2017–2021). The number of median-sized stones treated by URS/RIRS increased (7.5 mm, 8.2 mm, and 9.7 mm, p = 0.044), but not those treated by SWL/PCNL. The median length of medical leave for URS/RIRS and PCNL decreased significantly (7 vs. 4 days, p = 0.05 and 10 vs. 6 days, p = 0.036, respectively), with no comparable change for SWL. There was a substantial decline in ancillary procedures in the URS/RIRS groups (9%, 6.8%, and 3.1%, p < 0.01), but not in the SWL/PCNL groups. Conclusions: Advancements in technology and surgical training are leading to the extinction of SWL and the adoption of URS/RIRS as the new standard of care for nephrolithiasis among young adults.